WSJ: Former Rove Aide in Talks with Thompson CampaignThe Wall Street Journal reports (sub. req.) that Timothy Griffin, the former aide to Karl Rove who became one of the most controversial figures in the U.S. attorney firing scandal, is in talks with Fred Thompson’s presidential campaign:
Backers look for Fred Thompson to use a June 2 speech to Virginia Republicans to step closer toward the race. Thompson allies have had discussions with Tim Griffin, the Arkansas U.S. attorney and Rove protégé, about taking a top job with the campaign.
Griffin, of course, was installed as the U.S. attorney for Little Rock last year. Emails from Kyle Sampson have shown that the Justice Department and White House were plotting to use a little noticed provision in the USA PATRIOT Act Reauthorization Bill to keep Griffin in place throughout Bush’s term without the need for Senate confirmation. Alberto Gonzales has somewhat unconvincingly disavowed the plan.
But when that scheme was revealed, Democrats successfully pushed for the law to be changed back to the way it was — a final version passed the House last week. As a result of that, Griffin will be forced out of office in four months or so. Apparently Griffin isn’t waiting around for that. The Arkansas Times blog cites sources saying that Griffin may leave the job shortly.
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